Denise and Derrek Shaw are the perfect American couple. Happily married for 15 years, they have a wonderful daughter, Mackenzie, successful careers, and a beautiful house in a posh Chicago suburb. They are attractive, respected...and hiding a shocking secret: a dangerous addiction to drugs. It started innocently enough. Denise occasionally used prescription drugs to help her deal with the long hours and demanding nature of her job. Derrek, also under pressure at work, began using cocaine socially with some of his colleagues. They can quit whenever they want to. At least, that's what Denise would like to believe....

The Ultimate Betrayal: A Reverend Curtis Black Novel, Book 12

It's been four years since 28-year-old Alicia Black, daughter of Reverend Curtis Black, divorced her second husband, the most womanizing and corrupt man she has ever known. Since then, Alicia has been dating her first husband, Phillip Sullivan, a wonderfully kind and true man of God whom she'd hurt terribly by cheating on him. Alicia has worked hard to prove herself worthy of his trust once more, and when he asks her to marry him again, she couldn't be happier.

The Prodigal Son: A Reverend Curtis Black Novel

The Reverend Curtis Black hasn't spoken to his son, Matthew, in over a year-not since Matthew dropped out of Harvard to marry his girlfriend, Racquel, and be a full-time father to their infant son. Curtis knows that it was he and his wife, Charlotte, who drove Matthew away, but he prays that one day his son will forgive them and come home.

A House Divided

Life is close to perfect for the Reverend Curtis Black and his wife, Charlotte - except their son Matthew and his girlfriend, Racquel, are about to become parents at the tender age of 18. But try as she might, Charlotte can't stand Racquel's mother, Vanessa. While Charlotte schemes against Vanessa, Curtis is consumed with his own concerns about Deliverance Outreach. A mysterious figure from his past has been sending Curtis cryptic messages threatening to take away Curtis's coveted position as senior pastor and destroy everything he has worked so hard for.

A Christmas Prayer

Alexis Fletcher hasn't had a merry Christmas in five years - not since her mother passed away. Every December she remembers the joy her mother brought to everyone during the holiday season and feels the pain of her absence, even more so now that she and her sister are barely speaking. More than anything, Alexis wishes her family could be whole again.

The Reverend's Wife: A Reverend Curtis Black Novel

It's been months since Reverend Curtis learned that his wife Charlotte had affairs with two different men, and for now, he continues to be cordial and respectful to her. But he's also made it clear that once their son Matthew graduates high school, he will be filing for divorce. Charlotte, on the other hand, continues to do everything possible to make amends in hopes of saving their marriage. Unfortunately, Curtis is ready to move on and is being propositioned by a woman who desperately wants to become the next Mrs. Black.

Behind Closed Doors

Regina Moore and Karen Jackson, lifelong best friends, are living the kind of lives about which most women only fantasize. With beautiful homes, fulfilling careers, and two adoring husbands, their joy could not be greater, their worlds could not be richer. But suddenly, shattering truths about the loving men they thought they knew turn happiness into anguish and rage.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Reverend Curtis Black, Book 2

Curtis Black might be a man of the cloth, but with his irresistible looks, seductive charm, and charismatic personality, he's particularly beloved by his female parishioners - and almost every other woman he's ever met. The trouble is Curtis is married.

Secret Obsession

Paige Donahue has always lived in her sister Camille's shadow. As children, Camille had the grades, the friends, and their parents' love, while Paige was left with hand-me-downs and criticism. Now, as adults, Camille lives an idyllic life with her husband, Pierce, and her two perfect children in a beautiful home, while Paige is stuck in a small condo with bills she can't afford to pay. But no more. With seeds of doubt planted in both Camille's and Pierce's minds, Paige's plan to steal her brother-in-law starts to work....

One in a Million

Ask Kennedi Mason and she'll say she and her husband, Blake, have a good marriage. That's why she can't wait to tell Blake the fabulous news - that something he's always wanted has finally happened. But when Blake arrives home that evening, he has an announcement of his own, one that shocks Kennedi into silence.

Love, Honor, and Betray

The infamous Reverend Curtis Black's sordid past is no secret, as his wife, Charlotte, is well aware. But when Curtis' long-time mistress and mother of his illegitimate two-year-old, dies, he and Charlotte have no choice but to raise Curtina together. While the living, breathing reminder of her husband's infidelity infuriates Charlotte, Curtis couldn't be happier to finally have his whole family together....

Be Careful What You Pray For

New York Times best-selling author Kimberla Lawson Roby dishes out the juiciest of tales. Be Careful What You Pray For - the sequel to her popular The Best of Everything - is another delicious page-turner. Alicia Black’s first marriage didn’t work out, but she’s still praying for a prince. And so enters the magnetic Pastor JT Valentine. Has Alicia finally found the man of her dreams - or has love blinded her once again?

Love & Lies

Best friends Charlotte and Janine have serious problems with their love lives. Charlotte's husband, the flashy preacher Curtis Black, may keep her living in luxury, but his book tours and evangelism mean he's never home. Charlotte's sure he's cheating and even hires a PI to follow him, but she's been known to have indiscretions herself.

A Deep Dark Secret

In A Deep Dark Secret, a seemingly perfect 12-year-old girl harbors a terrible secret - one that threatens to tear her world apart. But the girl also houses a surprising inner strength, and the power to hope may just be what saves her.

Sin No More

A man who thrives on wickedness and counts on forgiveness, Curtis Black proclaims to his wife, Charlotte, that he will sin no more. He's finally learned his lesson about straying, and he's got the repercussions of his past misdeeds to remind him. First there's his new baby daughter, Curtina, and her mother, Tabitha, Curtis' former mistress, who demands that the preacher be a part of their lives - or else!

The Perfect Revenge

After a nightmarish two years, Nathan Carver thinks he can relax. His sister Sherri and her husband Randall are once again enjoying life and time with their family. Then they get bad news. Jacqueline Tate, the woman who's been a walking, talking tornado of trouble in all of their lives has been released from prison. They decide to take reasonable precautions and let God take care of the rest. But Jacqueline hasn't changed one bit, and she has plans of her own....

The Family Business 3: The Return to Vegas

Vegas Duncan's release from prison is right on time for his older brother Junior's engagement to the voluptuous Sonya Brown. Unfortunately Junior's attempt at happiness comes to a screeching halt when Sonya's husband, the mysterious Brother X, and his army of Muslim hit men declare war on the Duncan clan. Duncan family patriarch LC Duncan has gone up against many foes in his time.

It's been three years since Aaron Mackie succeeded in helping his friend and mentor Bishop T.K. Wilson dig his ministry out of financial ruin. Aaron is also responsible for re-energizing the almost defunct choir into something special. His success has drawn national attention, and he's on the verge of signing a huge recording contract. With his life in order, Aaron decides the time is right to propose to Tia Gregory, the church secretary who caught his eye and inspired him to shed his Tiger Woods-like tendencies.

The Best of Everything

Alicia was born to the good life, she's entitled to the best, and she'll do anything to get it. Even if it means piling up thousands of dollars in debt. Even if it means denying to everyone - even herself - that her love of shopping has gotten way out of control.

A Taste of Reality

On the surface, Anise seems to have it all: a successful career, a solid marriage, and good friends. But when she applies for a promotion at work, she loses out to a white colleague who isn't nearly as qualified for the job. However, the problem at work is only the beginning of Anise's troubles.

Casting the First Stone

The Black household is swiftly deteriorating. Frustrated and angry at her prosperous preacher husband's obvious infidelities, Tanya cannot believe the man she once loved has been replaced by this pathological liar obsessed with material wealth.

Forever an Ex

Three Los Angeles women who’ve helped each other overcome heartbreak are reunited eight years later when their troublesome exes come back into the picture in this follow up to Victoria Christopher Murray’s bestselling novel The Ex Files. Sheridan, Kendall, and Asia first bonded when they met seven years ago at a church prayer support group and now, their friendship has blossomed into a strong sisterhood. They've helped each other through the tragedies of their breakups and together, they've celebrated their triumphs. But now, their exes are back, wreaking havoc on lives they've work so hard to rebuild.

Twisted

Celeste Styles is starting over. After losing her cherished salon in a suspicious fire, she has finally left her adulterous relationship and her drama-filled life in Brooklyn for the peace and tranquility of Atlanta, Georgia. But when Rah-Lo heads down south after deciding to leave his wife Asia, Celeste is floored and isn't quite sure if she wants to rekindle their affair.

Drama in the Church Saga

Tressie faithfully prays every night that God will send her a thug. It isn't long before her prayers are answered, and she meets a handsome ex-convict named Payce Boyd. He is a fine roughneck, everything Tressie imagined and more - that is until Tressie experiences firsthand the reality of being a thug's girl. Seeking solace and comfort in the sanctuary, Tressie soon learns valuable lessons and shocking truths about herself and others.

What's Done in the Dark

Felise is not the kind of woman to cheat on her husband - especially with her best friend's man. But after one perfect storm of a night, it happened... and she can hardly believe it herself. To top it off, when she woke up in the morning, she found that the man to whom she guiltily made passionate love died of a heart attack overnight. Felise, who is a nurse and a good citizen at that, leaves the hotel room without reporting his death.

Publisher's Summary

Addiction. Deception.

Pretty pictures hide ugly secrets.

The perfect marriage...

Denise and Derrek Shaw are the perfect American couple. Happily married for 15 years, they have a wonderful daughter, Mackenzie, successful careers, and a beautiful house in a posh Chicago suburb. They are attractive, respected...and hiding a shocking secret: a dangerous addiction to drugs.

It started innocently enough. Denise occasionally used prescription drugs to help her deal with the long hours and demanding nature of her job. Derrek, also under pressure at work, began using cocaine socially with some of his colleagues.

They can quit whenever they want to. At least, that's what Denise would like to believe....

As her job becomes more stressful, Denise can no longer get through the day without a fix. Derrek realizes his harmless habit has become anything but, and desperately wants to get clean. However, his attempts are derailed when there is a sudden family tragedy. Once soul mates, now this husband and wife are quickly losing the immense love that had been the cornerstone of their marriage. With her parents spiraling out of control, Mackenzie makes an unexpected move to take matters into her own hands. Is her sacrifice too late - or is there still hope? Is there a final chance to save the Shaw family?

Characters to predictable, story line unfocused , Characters boring and uninteresting,

What could Kimberla Lawson Roby have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

characters lives were too simple. There was nothing about them to grab your attention , make you want them to succeed or fail. Just add more substance and not rush the endingPut more though into the ending it was poorly executed.

Would you be willing to try another one of Shay Moore’s performances?

YES, that was the best part of the story. Great Job Shay Moore.

What character would you cut from The Perfect Marriage?

In a better written story line they could all have a place.

Any additional comments?

My book Club loves Kimberly books, she is a great author. unfortunately this one was not her best. I look forward to reading her next book.

WRITING: I think that more refined writing skills are missing here; poor character development, less mechanical-more natural dialogue, better story telling, etc.,. Writing is a craft; this "novel" has the painful punch of a juvenile attempt. The sentence structure and word choices are awkward and obtuse. The character dialogue is tedious; unnatural and burdened with minutiae. This author need s a GREAT deal more training.

What do you think your next listen will be?

None by this author. This was a painful listen; wrought with poorly written material and equally disappointing delivery.

How could the performance have been better?

NARRATION: Better verbal acting, more natural character voices and less mechanical delivery; sounds like a random person reading to 1st graders. The poorly written material is degraded even more by poor narration.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I think that the topic was noble but muddled by the author's skill deficits.

Any additional comments?

Again - writing is a craft not a project; one needs to have an honest eye and the willingness to resist the urge to publish when the product is not at the right level.

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